When considering the Asus Zenbook S 13 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, you'll find the Asus is generally more affordable and offers good portability with decent performance for everyday tasks and light productivity work. On the other hand, the MSI Stealth is tailored for high-performance needs like 3D rendering, gaming, or complex engineering software; however, it's less portable due to its size and it typically has a shorter battery life. So, if high-end tasks are your priority and budget is less of a concern, the MSI may be the better choice despite its heftier price and size. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the ASUS Zenbook S 13
Best in class portability
Very good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
Excellent for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good overall build quality
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.5/10
8.9/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Zenbook S 13 is only fair.
The MSI Stealth 15M AI Studio comes equipped with a more powerful GPU and a higher screen refresh rate, making it an excellent choice for gaming and 3D applications where smooth visuals and rapid frame rendering are crucial. While the ASUS Zenbook S 13 offers decent performance for less demanding tasks, its GPU and screen refresh rate are not as advanced as the MSI's, limiting its gaming and 3D capabilities.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
9.1/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.7/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is excellent for engineering and design, while the ASUS Zenbook S 13 is very good.
The ASUS Zenbook S 13, while capable for engineering tasks with a good CPU, sufficient RAM, and a high-quality screen, may not handle more demanding tasks as well as the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, which offers a superior GPU and additional RAM, crucial for intensive design and 3D work. However, the Zenbook gains points for portability and lower operating noise, making it a better fit for those who prioritize a light and quiet machine over the sheer power and screen size offered by the heavier MSI Stealth.
Screen Quality
8.1/10
8.4/10
13.3in
SIZE
18.0in
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
365.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has a better screen than the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio for general use, and engineering and design, while the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has a better screen for gaming and AI.
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio both likely have panels with high resolution and brightness, making them excellent for daily activities where clarity and visibility are crucial. They also probably cover a wide range of color gamuts necessary for precision in engineering and design tasks, where accurate color representation matters. However, for gaming and 3D, their lower refresh rates detract from the experience, which relies heavily on smooth visuals and fast screen updates for an immersive effect.
Battery
11.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has 11 hours of battery life. The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has 6 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Best in Class
Fair
13.3in
SIZE
18.0in
2.2 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has best in class portability, while the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,400
$2,900
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has a price of $1,400 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio costs $2,900.
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio are both very good for general use.
The ASUS Zenbook S13, with its powerful CPU and ample RAM, ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks and multitasking, while its high-quality screen, long battery life, and lightweight design make it ideal for users who prioritize portability. On the other hand, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio also offers a robust CPU and plenty of RAM for demanding software, a high-quality display for visual clarity, and balances these features with a focus on quiet operation and efficient heat management, making it a strong performer for both work and entertainment.
Content Creation
8.5/10
8.5/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio are both very good for content creation.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
8.3/10
8.2/10
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
32.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio are both very good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Build Quality
7.6/10
8.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio to have very good build quality, while the ASUS Zenbook S 13 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the ASUS Zenbook S 13 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio compare to other laptops
"The Asus Zenbook S 13 is the slimmest OLED ultrabook worldwide struggles with annoying fans. The new Zenbook S 13 leaves us with mixed feelings, particularly since last year's model was so good. Asus has completely reworked the device, making the laptop noticeably slimmer. The result also looks good and the case makes a great impression, particularly also in terms of the stability. The new plasma ceramic surface feels great, and there are no problems with fingerprints. In addition, it now includes some of the known connections such as an HDMI port and a regular USB-A connection, which is a good achievement in such a slim device."
Get a great deal on the ASUS Zenbook S 13 or the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
About MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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